The Jewish American Military Historical Society

The United States has a long and proud history of immigrants serving in its military. In every war from the Revolutionary War to present immigrants, some of whom were not citizens, have served in every conflict. In the earlier conflicts, these were primarily European first generation immigrants but in the past few decades, the first generation immigrants have come from all over the world with Asian, Africa, and South American immigration increases. 

Jewish first generation immigrants have likewise heeded the call to service in their new nation in appreciation of the freedom and liberty they enjoyed. Richard Stern was such a first generation Jewish immigrant. What makes his story unique is, not only did he serve with valor in the U.S. Army in World War II but he also served in the German Army with valor in World War I. 

Richard Stern enlisted in the German Army as a teenager and was awarded the prestigious Iron Cross for his distinguished service during World War I. Later, Hitler would send the Hanseatic Cross to Stern for his war merit not realizing Stern was a Jew. Starting in 1927, Stern looked after his sister Martha and became the legal guardian of her son Rudolf. On April 1, 1933 the day Nazis launched the boycott of Jewish owned businesses, there is a famous image taken of Stern in front of his Cologne bedding store. He is wearing his Iron Cross next to the Nazi guard there to prevent Germans from entering.

Stern arrived in the United States as the age of 40 in 1939. He lived in Queens and worked as a bus boy. On October 13, 1942, still not a citizen and at the age of 43 he enlisted in the US Army. Stern served with distinction in the US Army earning the Silver Star for gallantry in action. In January of 1944 on Mount Porchio, Italy under heavy enemy machine gun fire, addressing the enemy in German convinced them to surrender. Stern’s Silver Star is still treasured by his family but Stern’s German medals are nowhere to be found. Family legend has it that Stern melted down his Iron and Hanseatic Crosses to make bullets to he used to fight the Nazis.

Richard Stern's amazing life will be documented in an upcoming book written by his grandson, Rabbi Jack Romberg.